Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-02-04
NINA MARRIED.
Ceremony Performed With Spies
Brother as Proxy.

CHICAGO, Feb. 1.-The announce
ment is made this evening that Aug
Spies and Miss Nina Van Zandt have
been married by proxy, the groom
being represented by his brother. A
suburban Justice of the Peace ofiici'
ated. When Sheriff Matson, about
two weeks ago, issued the order to
the officials of the county jail not to
admit Miss Van Zandt to see Spies,
IL was thought that the matter was
settled, but 1t now appears that neith'
er of the couple abandoned their pur-
pose. The law about marrying by
letter and marriages by proxy was
looked up but nothing was found ex-
ccpt in regard TO marriage by
proxy. This was finally decided up
on, and Justice Englehardt was con-
suited. lie gave it as his opinion
that a marriage by proxy would be
binding by law If the proxy was
made out in due legal form. lie was
commissioned TO draw up form ofa
proxy, and spent considerable time in
making itconform to what he thought
was the law in the case. The doc
ument was not gotten ready until
last Friday.
Early Saturday Miss Van Zandt and
Gretchen Spies, the sister of August,
went out 10 Jefferson and called on
Justice Englehardt TO get the proxy,
and having secured the document
went direct to the county Jail with it.
They met the wife of Spies brother,
Ferdinand, and a Mrs. Wendland.
Miss Van Zandt's three companions
witnessed the signature of Spies to
the document, by which he gave full
authority to his brother, Henry w.
Spies, to represent him at the ceremo-
ny. Mrs. Ferdinand Spies and Miss
Gretchen Spies signed the paper to
witness August Spies signature.
Then the whole party, except Spies
himself, went with Ferdinand Spies
to Justice Englehardt's office, on Mil
avenue, in the town ofJefcr-
son. They were reinforced on the
way by Miss Van Zandt's parents,
and Henry and Christopher Spies,
brothers of August. The journey to
Justice Englehardt's Office was made
On foot. 1t was after 8 o'clock Satur-
day night by this time. The Justice
again examined his law books and
.hen the ceremony was performed.
Henry Spies answered 10 the name
If August Vincent Theodore Spies,
md under this name was married TO
Miss Van Zandt. The bride and her
parents went from tile Office Of the
Justice to the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ferdinand Spies, not far distant, and
'emained there over night. The IL
,ense has not yet been returned TO
he County Clerk, as required by law.
/ was issued only three weeks ago,
however, and the thirty days allowed
or its return have not yet expired.
Justice Englehardt is authority for
he statement that the marriage was
performed.
Spies declines to speak of the oere-
nony and Miss Van Zandt refuses to
e interviewed or even seen. Her
ather also declines to talk, but does
ot deny the fact of the ceremony.
herif Matson expressed great sur
rise, and then promptly said: II
'ould not consider farce like that
unless pronounced SO by
legal authority. The al
eyed ceremony will not, in my judg-
lent, change the relations of the
arties. If this action was taken for
he purpose of compelling me to con-
ent to the visits of Miss Van Zandt
D the jail, 1t is a mistaken course,
nd will not avail. There is no OBJ
cation even if she was his lawful
fife to let her visit Spies, who is my
risoner. Allowing wives to visit
leir imprisoned husbands is merely
matter of courtesy"
Opinions from leading attorneys as
, the legality Of marriage by proxy
AIRY somewhat. Nearly all of the
lwyers in the city are of the belief
nat it is illegal. Leonard SWEET, Sc
ior counsel for Spies and his fellow
is decidedly Of that opin-
)ll,